FBI Correspondence Regarding Flying Discs and Related Inquiries (1947-1950)

This collection of documents comprises FBI correspondence, internal memoranda, and teletypes spanning from 1947 to 1950, documenting the Bureau's handling of public inquiries and reports regarding 'flying discs' or 'flying saucers.' The documents reveal a consistent pattern: the FBI received numerous letters from citizens reporting sightings or asking for information about the phenomenon. In response, FBI Director John Edgar Hoover and his staff maintained a policy of stating that the Bureau had no information on the subject and that it was not an FBI matter. Correspondents were frequently directed to contact the Department of the Air Force or the Department of Defense for further information. The files include reports of sightings from various locations, including Portland, Oregon, and Alaska, as well as correspondence regarding books and articles on the subject, such as Donald Keyhoe's 'The Flying Saucers are Real.' Some documents detail internal FBI discussions about whether to coordinate with the Office of Special Investigations (OSI) regarding specific reports. The Bureau also documented instances where individuals claimed to have photographs or film of flying saucers, often involving claims of extraterrestrial or secret military technology. In several cases, the FBI investigated the credibility of these informants, sometimes concluding that the reports were hoaxes or that the individuals involved were unreliable. The documents reflect the Bureau's desire to distance itself from the investigation of UAP, viewing the reports as either outside their jurisdiction or as matters for military intelligence. The collection also includes technical drawings and descriptions provided by informants, which the FBI generally treated with skepticism, often noting that the information was not credible or that the individuals were mentally unstable. Overall, the documents illustrate the FBI's role in managing the influx of public interest in UAP during the early years of the phenomenon, emphasizing a policy of non-involvement and referral to military authorities.